New HP industrial policy on cards
CHAMBA, Jan 27 — A policy to bring industrial revolution in Himachal Pradesh is on the anvil which will be tabled in the ensuing Budget session of the state assembly.

HP to review PWD manual
SHIMLA, Jan 27 — The Himachal Government is undertaking an elaborate exercise to revamp the Public Works Department manual and streamline the process of inviting and allotting tenders and purchase of material to check malpractices, curb delays and cost overruns and exercise economy in execution of construction works.

New HP industrial policy on cards
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA, Jan 27 — A policy to bring industrial revolution in Himachal Pradesh is on the anvil which will be tabled in the ensuing Budget session of the state assembly.

Addressing newspersons at Chamba today, Mr Kishori Lal, Himachal Industries Minister, said for framing a new industrial policy the Himachal Government had constituted a task force headed by the Director of Industries which had submitted its report.

The minister said while finalising the policy noted industrialists of the state and the members of chambers of commerce would be consulted so that large, medium and small scale industrial units could be set up with employment approach.

The state government would set up an industrial export promotional park at Baddi in Solan district with an outlay of Rs 20 crore.

The minister said during the current fiscal year Rs 28 crore were being spent on the development of industries and added that at least 2700 large, medium and small scale industrial units were functioning in the state providing employment to 1.40 lakh persons.

He emphasised the need to set up units based on local raw material and produce like herbs, maize, potato and lemon. He said the private sector would be encouraged to establish industries based on maize and potato products and added that cottage industries would also be given priority so that inflow of rural people towards urban areas could be stopped.

A Rs 5 crore plastic tents manufacturing plant would be set up in the private sector at Hatli in Chamba district in the near future, he added.

HP to spend Rs 70 cr on flood control
From Tribune Reporters

KANGRA, Jan 27 — District-level celebration of 50th Republic Day was held here yesterday in the local Municipal Stadium, Himachal Irrigation and Public Health Minister Ramesh Chand who was the chief guest unfurled the National Flag and took the salute at the march past.

The minister said that Rs 70 crore was being spent on flood control in the state during the year. He announced that the government would open 150 primary, 300 middle, and 40 senior secondary schools in the state in the current year to provide education at the grassroot level.

Contingents of the Police, Home Guards, NCC, school bands and contingents of boys and girls of the different schools took part in the march past. Cultural programme was also presented on the occasion. Mr Dulo Ram MLA, former MLAs, Capt Partap Choudhary and R.C. Bhatia and senior civil and police officers were present on the occasion.

KULU: The 50th Republic Day was celebrated at the Dhalpur Ground. Mr Gulab Singh, Speaker, Himachal Vidhan Sabha, took the salute of the contingents of the ITBP, the Police, the SSB and Home Guards.

Mr Gulab Singh said that the present government in the state had allocated Rs 1140 crore for overall development of the state which was 47 per cent more than the previous budget.

The Speaker claimed that Himachal would be known as a power state after the completion of many hydel projects in the pipeline. He said that the 2051 MW Parbati project work had already taken off and the National Hydel Project Corporation had already opened its chief engineer’s office at Bhuntar. Work on the Larji and Malana hydel projects was going on. These projects would generate employment and 75 per cent jobs would be offered to Himachalis, he added.

Earlier the Chief Engineer, Mr C.M. Narang, also unfurled the Tricolour at the premises of the NHPC premises at Bhuntar. He said that the NHPC had its record of completing the hydel projects within the stipulated time period and he confirmed that the Parbati Hydel Project is a challenge which would also be completed on schedule.

Republic Day functions were also organised at all the sub divisional headquarters at Manali, Banjar and Ani in this district where the respective SDMs presided over the functions.

Colourful cultural programmes were presented at all venues during the celebrations.

Mr Ram Lal Markandeya, Minister of State for Rural Development, who was to unfurl the flag at Kelong, the district headquarters of the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti could not reach due to the cancellation of the helicopter flight and joined the function here, said that a navodaya school would be opened at Mooring in Lahaul, a residential school at Kaza and a BDO office at Udaipur.

UNA: Mr Kishan Kapoor, Himachal Transport Minister, took the salute from contingents of the Police, Home Guards and the NCC on Tuesday and unfurled National Flag on occasion of 50th Republic Day here in the ground of Government Senior Secondary School for Boys. He called up on people not to forget those who laid their lives for the Independence of the country.

Mr Kishan Kapoor presented Rs 501 and honoured Ms Shanti Devi who recently was awarded National Education Award for Education. He also honoured Avinash for bravery for saving life of an 11-year child. Dhamandri was also honoured by the minister. Earlier school children of various schools presented colourful cultural programme. Freedom fighters from different parts of Una district, members of Zila Parishad, Block Development and pradhans of gram panchayats, MLAs and senior government servants beside general public were present on this occasion.

CHAMBA: The Himachal Government had decided to bring Chamba on the paragliding map of the world as this place was ideal and suited to para-gliders, which would attract tourists from home and abroad.

This was announced by the Himachal Industries Minister, Mr Kishori Lal, while presiding over a function of Republic Day celebration at Chamba Chowgan on Tuesday. He announced on this occasion that the local district hospital would be upgraded to a Regional Hospital level soon with a view to providing better health services to the people of this distant region of the state.

Earlier, the Industries Minister hoisted the National Flag with the National song and took the salute of impressive march past presented by the Police, Home Guards and the NCC cadets. A fascinating cultural programme was also presented by the school children on this occasion.

HP to review PWD manual
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 27 — The Himachal Government is undertaking an elaborate exercise to revamp the Public Works Department (PWD) manual and streamline the process of inviting and allotting tenders and purchase of material to check malpractices, curb delays and cost overruns and exercise economy in execution of construction works.

Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, the Chief Minister, while presiding over the brainstorming session organised by the department in this connection here today, said the government would evolve a system of incentives and penalty for both contractors and officers to ensure timely completion of projects. Besides, the practice of taking up a large number of schemes by making a token provision of funds would also be done away with. Instead, the stress would be on completing the ongoing schemes by providing the required funds.

At present as many as 3633 works, on which Rs 337 crore had been spent, were under execution for the past several years. In fact, work on some of them was started more than 30 years ago. This situation could not be allowed to continue.

Though some projects were at times taken up under political pressure, it was the duty of officers concerned to give the right advice to the political bosses and ensure that unviable schemes were not taken up at all.

Expressing concern at excessive and wasteful purchase of substandard material, he said against an annual requirement of about 7000 tonnes, over 7,800 tonnes of galvanised iron pipes were lying with the Irrigation and Public Health Department. It was, however, forced to purchase more because the pipes already procured were of bigger diameter than required. Even the material used was substandard.

The government had taken serious note of it and henceforth the head of the department and officers concerned would be held responsible for such 'indiscretions'.

The government would also introduce a system of rotational postings to ensure that engineers had requisite experience of working in field and design wings and different parts of the state. Due weightage would be given to experience in promotions.

He also underlines the need for proper drainage along roads to prevent damage due to storm water.

Mr A.K. Goswami, Chief Secretary, said technology was fast changing and there was need to organise frequent workshops to keep pace with new developments. Engineers had to pass a test after every five years to ensure validity of their degrees.

The two-day brainstorming session will look into various aspects, like procedures for giving administrative approval, guidelines for change specification during execution of works, better use of departmental labour, quality control, bringing about transparency in processing of tenders and participation of local people in development works.

HC to the rescue of 77 bonded workers
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 27 — Mr Justice R.L. Khurana of the Himachal Pradesh High Court today ordered the release of 77 members of 19 families kept as bonded labour in a brickkiln in Barotiwala.

In an interim order on a habeas corpus petition filed by two of the labourers, who were able to escape from the confinement of Mr S.K. Mittal, owner of the Bholenath Brick Company, the court directed the police to ensure that all detained labourers were allowed to leave the kiln and that each labourer was provided for at least food and fare for returning to their native place, Sharanpur, by the owner. The District Magistrate, Solan, was asked to ensure the compliance of the order forthwith.

Mr Anup Chitkara, counsel for the petitioners, Dharam Singh and Pahel Singh, alleged that Mr Mittal had engaged 19 families comprising 79 members on the promise that he would pay Rs 125 for 1000 'katcha' bricks from October. However, as they found the winter too harsh and the accommodation not suitable for them to continue working, they approached Mr Mittal to settle their accounts which he refused and told them that they would have to continue working at the brickkiln.

Mr Mittal detained them with the help of musclemen when they refused to work. They were neither given money nor food. He also threatened them dire of consequences if they tried to contact the police. One of the labourers, Som Pal, who protested was mercilessly beaten up.

Another labourer, Phula, died as he could not be given proper medical treatment due to lack of money.

In reply to the notice issued by the court, the Superintendent of Police, Solan, stated that a case had been registered under sections 16 and 17 of the Bonded Labour System Abolition Act in this connection on January 24 and the manager had been arrested. Efforts were on to arrest others involved.

During investigation the police found that labourers were not allowed to go to their native places and Mr Mittal also refused to settle their accounts.

They were also not allowed to move out of the brickkiln where they were kept under a constant vigil. Only one member was allowed to go out to bring ration and collect fuelwood. Mr Mittal had also threatened them that he would get them thrashed by the police. The police also confirmed that a labourer was beaten up and died on January 13. The cause of his death was under investigation.

The District Magistrate will submit the compliance report to the court on January 29.

Central aid worth 80 cr 'unutilised' in HP
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 27 — A Central grant of over Rs 80 crore for various poverty-alleviation schemes has been dumped in banks and is lying unutilised in Himachal Pradesh.

This has been stated by Mr Kewal Ram Chauhan, General Secretary of the Himachal Vikas Congress, in a letter to Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, Mr Chauhan released copies of the letter to newsmen here today.

He has pointed out that there is hardly any monitoring of utilisation and implementation of schemes, including the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana and Indira Awas Yojana, for which these funds were received.

The unspent amount relates to the Central grants received by the end of 1998 by the Rural Development Department. The unspent amount has been deposited in banks and is lying idle.

Citing examples, he has said that a grant of more than Rs 2 crore is lying unutilised in the Chopal development block, Rs 2.30 crore in the Jubbal development block, Rs 1.70 crore in Rohru and Rs 1.80 crore in Chirgaon development block.

The poverty alleviation and employment generation schemes have not been implemented in these areas, he has claimed.

He has said that means should be devised for immediately obtaining utilisation certificates for the 25 per cent of the total funds paid to sarpanches and recovery of the amount in case of default.

Mr Chauhan has suggested that the Centre should be approached for modifying the guidelines to ensure that the funds are disbursed and utilised properly for the purpose for which these are meant.

He has also pointed out that funds are being paid direct to sarpanches without any resolution and estimates of the panchayat. The grants are being utilised at the discretion of the pradhans, depriving the genuine works and areas of assistance. The balance funds are lying unutilised with deputy commissioners and block development officers for want of utilisation certificates for the 25 per cent initial grant from sarpanches.

Pulling one another’s leg in public
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Jan 27 — The tussle between the Dhumal and Shanta groups in the BJP was once again evident at functions of the Chief Minister in Kangra as all protocol norms were set aside to pull one another down.

It was at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Shah Nehar staff colony at Fatehpur on January 21 that staunch Shanta loyalists, Mr Krishan Kapoor and Mr Ramesh Chaudhary, felt let down by Revenue Minister, Rajan Sushant. Since the meeting was held at Sunet village in the Jwali constituency, represented by Mr Sushant, Transport Minister, Krishan Kapoor and IPH Minister, Ramesh Chaudhary were made to speak before Mr Sushant, who is a Minister of State. Despite being junior in status, Mr Sushant spoke just before the Chief Minister which led to a lot of resentment amongst the Shanta group in Kangra district.

In the very next meeting on January 23, Transport Minister, Krishan Kapoor chose to stay away from the function of the Chief Minister in the Gangath constituency. Instead, he unveiled a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Siuni, near here. At the same time in retaliation for the humiliation meted out to Mr Krishan Kapoor and Mr Ramesh Chaudhary the previous day, Mr Des Raj, MLA of Gangath, spoke after Mr Rajan Sushant. The meeting, which was held in Dah Kulara village where the Chief Minister inaugurated a bridge, Mr Des Raj, who is a staunch Shanta supporter and the MLA of the area, spoke after all the ministers, by passing the normal protocol.

In a majority of the public meetings addressed by the Chief Minister, the stage is conducted by party men and not public relations officials. It has been a tradition that whenever the Chief Minister is here in Kangra for the winter sojourn, other ministers do not hold separate functions. They accompany the Chief Minister, wherever he goes, as great significance is attached to the annual winter sojourn. Moreover, it becomes difficult for PR officials to arrange separate functions for the ministers, as the entire focus is on the Chief Minister during this period.

The Shanta loyalists in Kangra district had already been piqued at the appointment of Revenue Minister, Rajan Sushant, a Minister of State, as Chairman of the District Grievances Committee. His appointment as the Chairman came as a surprise to all, as senior Cabinet ministers, including Mr Krishan Kapoor, Mr Ramesh Chaudhary and Mr Vidya Sagar were ignored. It has been a tradition that the seniormost minister from the district heads the committee. During the Congress regime, Mr Sant Ram remained its Chairman.

It is reliably learnt that the situation has become very awkward for the Chief Minister, who too does not seem to be happy with this kind of behaviour from his ministers and MLAs but is in no position to check this. As it is, of the 12 BJP MLAs in Kangra district, a majority of them are strong Shanta men. In fact, Mrs Shraveen Chaudhary, MLA from Shahpur, and Mr Des Raj, MLA from Gangath, are annoyed with the Chief Minister for not including them in the ministry. It is only Mr Rajan Sushant, who is the most vociferous loyalist of Mr Dhumal and was the most bitter critic of former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar at one time.

It remains to be seen whether Mr Dhumal will keep a check over the petty behaviour of his ministers in the second leg of his tour or they will continue to humiliate each other in public.

HP tribal areas face scarcity of goods
From Our Correspondent

PALAMPUR, Jan 27 — Mr Thakur Singh Bharmouri, a senior Congress leader from Bharmour has expressed concern over the scarcity of essential commodities in the tribal areas of Bharmour and Pangi. Addressing reporters here this morning he said there was an acute shortage of kerosene, fire wood and charcoal in the valley and these items were being sold on the black market. He quoted that in the upper areas of Bharmour a match box was selling for Rs 10/- and kerosene was selling at the rate of Rs 12 per bottle.

He regretted collapse of a bridge at Gahara, linking Bharmour with rest of the state, as the supply of essential goods had been held up. He said at present 90 per cent villages of the Bharmour valley were without power supply since the HPSEB had no equipment to repair the transmission lines damaged during last winter and rainy season.

Mr Thakur said the condition of the internal roads of the valley are bad and no efforts are being made despite huge funds being available. Even construction works on number of projects launched by the previous Congress Government had been suspended. He said the BJP MLA from the area, was unconcerned over grim situation there and had not bothered to come to the valley for the past one month.

Mr Thakur urge the Governor, Ms V.S. Rama Devi and Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal to look into the matter and take immediate steps to ensure supply essential commodities and restore vehicular traffic. He said the State Government should take the help of the Indian Army for the construction of bridge at Gahara.

HAS result declared
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 27 — The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission today declared the result of the HAS and allied services in which 22 candidates have been declared successful.

Those selected for the HAS are, Mr Rohit Jamwal, Mr Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Mr Kushal Vashish, Mr Rakesh Kapoor, Mr Duni Chand Rana, Mr Vipin Kumar, Mr Anupam Kashyap and Mr.Yashpal Sharma.

Those selected for the HPS and other allied services are, Mr Kushal Chand Sharma, Mr Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, Mr Ramesh Chandra Chajta, Mr.Gurjot Singh, Ms Jyoti Gupta, Mr Ashwani Kumar, Mr Vikas Sood, Mr Balwan Chand, Mr Arun Ojha, Mr Madan Kumar, Mr Diwakar Sharma, Mr Jagdish Chand Patial, Mr Sanjeev Kumar Dhiman and Mr Liaq Ram.

BJP will win next poll too: Dhumal

JAWALAMUKHI, Jan 27 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is confident that the BJP-HVC coalition will not only complete its term, but also be voted again to power in the next elections.

Speaking to mediapersons last night at the local rest house, he said: "I don't think there is any need to rethink on the policies and programmes. We are here to perform, and I am confident that we shall live up to the expectations of the people".

Calling "most unfortunate", the recent attacks on Christians in various parts of the country, he said he did not believe that the Bajrang Dal or any other "Hindu" organisation had anything to do with these.

One held with fake currency
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Jan 27 — The police arrested a person here today and seized fake currency notes worth Rs 7,400 from him.

The police said fake currency notes of Rs 100 denomination were seized from the attendant of a patient, Mrs Indira, who had come here from Chopal from the interior of the Shimla district.

Possession of fake currency with the man came to light when he paid a sum of Rs 700 for the ambulance which had brought the patient here from Chopal. The police was informed here by the SDM Chopal, about the incident.

A case has been registered at Chopal.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Ram Subhag Singh, has ordered the police to verify whether fake currency was in circulation in Chopal.

The additional Superintendent of Police, Mr Daljeet Thakur, said that the arrested man was being interrogated.